Refuge Ospizio Sottile

The Ospizio Sottile mountain hut is located at 2480 metersof altitude on the “Valdobbia pass”, on the road connecting Val Vogna and the Valsesia with the Gressoney Valley, Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta. The fundamental point of transit for centuries emigrants and traders were forced to cross the Pass also in winter and to deal with the related elements of the high mountains. For this reason, after the second half of the 18th century were constructed on crossing a chapel and a stall as shelter, which soon proved inadequate given the high influx of travelers and the increasingly numerous victims of avalanches and freezing winte.

In 1823, thanks to Canon Nicolao Sottile the hospitalization was expanded and transformed into Hospice, shelter to passersby in winter as well as point of astronomical observations and Meteorological Centre.

In the last decade the ancient building was completely refurbished and today the refuge, which is half on Piedmont land and half on Valle d’Aosta, is managed with passion by a young, competent mountain lovers, who offers genuine cuisine and good hospitality.
The spacious heated saloon is located on the ground floor of the building and it is used not only to consume meals but also as a reading and meeting room.
Upstairs, the refuge has 4 comfortable bedrooms equipped with warm duvet: 2 are double rooms and 2 are for 4 people, plus a large dormitory with 9 beds. Toilets are provided with 2 showers with hot water.

In the summer of 2010the ancient Eucharistic Chapelhas been completely restored and reopened to the public, unusually an integral part of the refuge.
For the summer 2011 there is a small library with books about local history and volumes about mountains and in particular about Val Vogna.
Refuge Staff is always available to give advice about routes, to illustrate the surrounding wildlife habits and present characteristics of the local flora.

INFORMATION AND CONTACT

The Valley Vogna does not have a public service that connects Riva Valdobbia. Need to call a taxi at 0163 922993 or go by car. The road ends where it begins to Ca Janzo of the road that runs through the valley Vogna from where the path N. 201 (EX N. 1) leading to the Hospice